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Space observations, combined with laboratory astrophysics methods, help scientists understand how the universe forms. Professor of Physics Viatcheslav Kokoouline and colleagues are studying the dissociative recombination (known as DR) of the H3+ ion and its isotopic modification, the D2H+ ion — a process that occurs throughout space, including in regions where planets are formed and in planetary atmospheres. By studying this process, Kokoouline is advancing our understanding of the chemical composition and conditions of the universe, including the presence of water and the formation of life.
In this interview, he explains the significance of his team’s study, published in Nature Communications, and how it deepens our knowledge of the cosmos.
Can you share your research and what led you to study dissociative recombination of D2H+ ions?
I’m interested in the fundamental, microscopic processes that occur in molecular plasma and how molecules behave under varying temperatures. In space, many processes, including DR, occur in plasma and are affected by their surrounding environment.
DR is particularly important in astrophysics because it helps explain the chemical composition of interstellar clouds, planetary atmospheres, and the processes that may lead to the formation of water and organic molecules. Beyond space science, DR also has applications in the semiconductor industry, where understanding how ions and molecules recombine can improve the design and efficiency of electronic devices.
Because of its relevance to both science and applied technology, DR is a high-demand area for developing new methods to study and accurately measure molecular reactions.
What is the main goal of this study?
The goal of this study is to better understand how DR helps scientists model astrophysical environments, such as the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn, as well as technological plasmas found in fusion reactors, plasma-assisted engines and the semiconductor industry.
Our study examined how H3+ and D2H+ ions interact with electrons under extremely cold conditions through the DR process using a cryogenic storage ring — a type of particle accelerator that holds ions in an ultra-cold, nearly air-free environment so their behavior can be observed. This process impacts how molecules form, their abundance, how plasmas behave, and the chemical reactions that influence energy transfer, gas release, and the formation of radical species — highly reactive atoms or molecules that help shape the chemistry of their surroundings.
Could you explain what happens during the “dissociative recombination” process?
Dissociative recombination is a chemical reaction in which a molecular ion collides with a free electron and breaks apart into neutral particles. This process takes place in a variety of environments — from interstellar clouds and planetary atmospheres to laboratory plasma experiments.
It’s important because it controls the abundance of key ions, influences chemical reactions and affects energy transfer in these systems. Understanding DR is critical for modeling the chemistry of space and planetary atmospheres, and for improving plasma processes in fusion reactors, plasma-assisted combustion, and the semiconductor industry.
What is significant about these findings?
Our results show that D2H+ ions have a lower DR rate, meaning they tend to survive longer in interstellar environments. This discovery may have significance for deuterium fractionation — a process that helps scientists understand how stars and planets begin to form.
In regions where stars form, deuterium-containing molecules act as chemical clocks, revealing the physical conditions and evolutionary stages of cold molecular clouds that collapse to form stars and planets. A higher abundance of molecules like D₂H⁺ or HDO (a heavier version of water) signals the early stages of star formation. Tracking these changes gives scientists valuable clues about how water, and potentially the conditions for life, first emerged in the universe.
What does this research mean to you?
When I started working in science, my decision to pursue this field was influenced by one of the professors I worked with, whose expertise was in atomic and molecular physics. Over time, I became fascinated by molecular collisions; not just because they are intellectually interesting, but also because they have many real-world applications. That combination of curiosity and practical impact is what keeps me engaged in this research and drives me to answer important questions about the origins of the universe and life.
